The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-09-21


away from it. l have to feign the same
and interest in an animal really
do not like, out of consideration formy
poor Hilda's feelings. ! shudder for the
consequences if any misfortune were to
befall her pet. know it is ridiculous to
travel about with a cat, but"
ooh, please don't say anything to recall
some stupid speeches of mine," began
Calcott, eagerly. "There is nothing
ridiculous"
eyes, it is silly" she interrupted him;
'but take that as part of my punish
ment, as | try to bear patiently with
Hildas dreary fancies in needlework. If
l can suppress the frightful decorations
she makes before she produces them in
public, I'm thankful. She always wears
mourning, and finds keen satisfaction in
celebrating the dismal symbols of death
you found her busy over"
"a terribly depressing influence for
you," said Calcott.
eyes; but do not deserve far worse
lotl That is my story very hastily and
imperfectly told-I cannot bear to dwell
on details-but it is enough to explain
what seems strange in our conduct. Let
us return now through the fields, and
talk of pleasanter things"
For many subsequent days Jeremy had
to content himself with fleeting glimpses
of Dora, for she seemed to avoid him,
and his most adroit attempts TO bring
about chance meeting failed.
At sunset, one evening, he found her
sitting alone on stone wall where a
sweep of the road commanded the prettiest
view of the valley. Traces of tears were
in her eyes, and pathetic tremor in her
voice; she looked irresistibly lovely, and,
astonished at his own courage and elo-
quence, Calcott presently found himself
telling her that he had loved her from
the first moment he had seen her, and
that heaven would begin for him on this
dull earth if she would be his wife.
"Oh, no, no / cannot! beg of you
not to speak to me in this way. Oh,
why did | not prevent youm
This was not encouraging, but Calcott
did not mean to let himself be abashed
too easily.
"But why may not tell you that
love you2 l."
"No-no man must talk to me of love
so long as my poor Hilda needs me.
have sworn to devote myself to her, allow
ing no one to divide my allegiance-it il
but little compensation for running he
| life"
''But why not let me help to bear tn
burden which is far too heavy for youi'
"No, l say; no one can help me
Alone with me, Hilda is usually docil
and good The intimacy of other peo
pie maddens her-I have tried all that s.
often"
"But this sacrifice of yourself is shock
| ing! 1t is"
"Please DON'T know you feel sym
pathy for me, but don't deserve it, AM
l can't bear to listen to it. l beg of yol
to forget what you have said just now
l cannot listen to any mans wooing. l
you will not forget, will you not go ava
and leave us to the quiet sought here
but alas have not found. No pleadin!
can shake my resolve; it only distresse
me beyond endurance"
There was no other alternative for Jer
emy but to promise to go on the follow
ing day. Duringthe sleepless night tina
followed he resolved that he would bid
his time for awhile, but renounce al
hope of winning Dora, as she bade him
he could not, if he would To leave he
was to feel the gates of paradise clos
against him; and who could tell hoy
long the separation so cruelty impose,
by Fate might lastl Dola's eyes, i
spite of herself, told Jeremy that she re
turned his love. Under the circum
stances he could hardly tell whether thi
consciousness caused him most deligh
or despair.
The next morning the Albergo dell
Posta was the scene of the widest excite
ment; owing to the carelessness of one c
the chambermaids, Conrad, Hilda
precious cat, had escaped from the roor
hired for his special accommodation, an
was nowhere to be found. 1t was sal
that the bereaved Hilda had tried I
fling herself out of window, in whic
case she must have infallibly landed upo
the pigs back; the landlady was
Mysteries, and the butchers boy brougl
the report that bushy white cat, larg
as goat, breathing fire out of its moutl
had been seen to plunge itself into ii
Lima, several miles down the valley.
'Please don't go yet; there is look
Hilda's eyes that frightens me-" sal
Dora, imploringly, laying tremblin
hand on Calcott's coat-sleeve. Tn
request was quite superfiuous, for thi
gentleman was devoutly thankful TO ii
delinquent Conrad for giving him goo
reason for delay, and he would not hay
taken himself off for worlds. Presently
the unearthly squalling of a flock {
geese on green plateau on the hillsio
above, mingled with the lusty yells (
the little goosegirl who stood franticall
waving the long, blue stocking she WI
knitting, attracted the general attentio
of the village.
All of the able-bodied population fle'
to the rescue. Through clouds of tiyin
fur and feathers, with his blue eyes bi
as saucers, his whiskers fiercely bristlin.
his Persian tail swinging threatening
to and fro, they saw the doughty Conra
in the thick of the Kissing and cacklin
flock, dealing sturdy blows right an
, left with his heavy paws. He woul
J plainly have come out with flying color
routing the enemy gloriously, had N,
the fiercest gander of the lot attackC
, him suddenly in the rear pulling him |
the triumphant tail till Conrad lost h
balance and presence of mind.
At this critical moment, Hilda, wit
bare feet, disheveled hair, a shawl trai
| ing after her, and light toilet, plung,
in among the flock, flung away the ira
gander, threw the shawl over the b
= wildered Conrad, and few back vii
r him to the hotel.
A. l.Na 80